NOVEL WEB Chapter 11: The Days Of Darkness And Terrors
Those words weren't entirely new to Elon, but this was the first time he was hearing them in the world of Fallen Mages.
Of course, he had watched a fantastic medieval fantasy series back on Earth. In that show, a nation battled against dark forces during winter—ice-like humanoid creatures who sought to destroy humanity.
These creatures only emerged in the winter season, which could last for years. Elon hoped it wouldn't be the same here.
"How long does winter last?" he asked.
"It depends, my king… Sometimes three months, sometimes six. The last winter we experienced was twenty-four years ago. The summer that followed was the longest we had ever seen, lasting over two decades. Many feared that the next winter would be equally extreme," Lord Tywin explained.
Elon frowned. "I don't fully understand, Lord Tywin."
"The Second Generation scholars studied the patterns of winter for many years and recorded their findings in the Books of Knowledge, my king. Their research revealed a cycle—when we have six years of summer, winter lasts only three months. When summer stretches to twelve years, winter is likely to last six months. And when summer lasts twenty-four years…"
"Winter will last an entire year," Elon finished, realization dawning.
"Yes, my king." Lord Xan nodded solemnly.
Elon exhaled slowly. This was new information—something the novel had never explored in detail. The author had only mentioned a brief discussion between King Halton and his Lords about an impending winter but left out any further explanations.
Now, standing here after his transmigration, Elon felt more curiosity than fear.
"What actually happens during winter?" he asked.
Lord Xan hesitated for a moment, exchanging glances with the other Lords. Whatever they were about to reveal was clearly not good news. Even without their words, Elon already had a sinking feeling.
'Winter is always about darkness and destruction after all,' he thought.
Lord Xan took a deep breath before speaking.
"When winter comes, the Parasytes descend upon the Green Continent. They slaughter the living, drain their blood dry, and spread a demonic plague. These creatures multiply rapidly, forming monstrous hordes that ravage entire kingdoms in their pursuit to infect every living thing…"
"They strike at night, in the cover of darkness, and the weakest kingdoms suffer the most. The last time they came, the Althera Empire lost almost half its population. Famine plagued the land long after winter had ended."
"During winter, nothing is safe. Plants wither, animals die, water becomes scarce, and all resources are at risk of contamination. It is the greatest cataclysm that befalls our world."
A heavy silence followed.
Elon clenched his fists. This was worse than he had imagined. He had initially expected something similar to the White Walkers from the show he had watched—ice-powered foes. But this? This was something far more terrifying.
"So, Lord Xan… What do we do when winter comes? Do we fight the Parasytes?"
Lord Xan sighed. "No, my king. Your father would flee with his family, the Court members, and the noble houses to Thera. The city's walls are strong and tall, offering a semblance of safety. Though even in Thera, complete safety is never guaranteed, it is far better than the wooden walls of Salvador."
Elon's brows furrowed. "Ah! So my father ran to Thera? That doesn't seem very kingly. What about the common folk left behind?"
The Lords hesitated before Lord Xan finally answered. "They… They are expected to defend the land, my king."
Elon's expression darkened. "I see. That must have been their greatest nightmare."
"They fought bravely, my king," Lord Jevran added. "They stood together to defend their homes against the Parasytes."
Elon scoffed. "Yes, brave people who stood their ground while their king abandoned them for safety. Tell me, how many of them died in the last winter?"
Lord Tywin's face was grim. "Your late father lost over five thousand subjects. Only four thousand survived. It was the darkest winter in history."
Elon inhaled sharply. "Because they weren't prepared. They had their swords and spears, their bows and arrows, but that wasn't nearly enough. If my father hadn't begged the King of Karghon for disease control specialists and two thousand men, the kingdom would have been wiped out."
Lord Jevran blinked. "How do you know that, my king? You weren't born then."
Elon smiled faintly. "Matilda told me the story. It was… fascinating."
That was a lie, of course. The truth was that he had read about it in the novel. Matilda had never mentioned winter to him at all, but it was best to avoid further suspicion.
"So what do you expect me to do when winter comes?" Elon asked, his voice firm. "Follow my father's example and flee to Thera with the noble houses?"
"Yes, my king," Lord Xan said without hesitation. "You will be honored as a king, and your family will be safe. We noblemen shall accompany you, and once winter passes, you will return to rule Salvador again."
"I decline."
The three Lords widened their eyes in shock.
"What… What do you mean, my king?" Lord Jevran asked cautiously.
Elon's gaze was unwavering. "I am not leaving Salvador for Thera. I will stay here with the people and fight beside them."
"But my king, it is too dangerous!" Lord Xan protested. "Your life will be at great risk."
"I know. But it's the same for the people, isn't it? So why should I abandon them?"
A heavy silence fell upon the court as Elon continued.
"A king must lead by example and take responsibility for his kingdom, whether in times of prosperity or times of suffering. Winter is dark and full of terrors, but I have come to bring light and fury. Whether I live or die, I will be here in Salvador when the Parasytes come. And I will fight them with every ounce of strength in my soul."
The Lords were speechless. His conviction was absolute. They suspected his confidence came from the strange weapon he carried... The AK-47.
But they were sure that one rifle wouldn't be enough to stand against a Parasyte army of thousands.
"My king… You only have one of that," Lord Tywin said carefully. "It will not be enough against the Parasytes."
Elon smiled. "That should be the least of your worries, my Lords."
The Lords exchanged uneasy glances.
"I will do everything I can to prepare for their arrival. How long until winter?"
"Seven downpours, my king," Lord Xan responded.
Elon stroked his chin thoughtfully. "That should be close…"
"Roughly two months, my king," Lord Tywin added.
Elon grinned. "Two months? That should be enough."
Lord Jevran frowned. "Enough for what, my king?"
Elon's grin widened. "Enough to do something… quite interesting."
At that moment, a knight stepped into the Court, bowing respectfully before addressing him.
"My king, Aiden is awake."
Elon's expression sharpened.
"Ah, finally…"
Without hesitation, he rose from his seat. Aiden would surely play a crucial role in the battles to come, and Elon really needs to make a move quick enough to make him one of the figures in his council.
"Plan my coronation as soon as possible. I'll return shortly after handling a few matters."
"At once, my king," the Lords bowed.
As Elon exited the courthouse, they remained in silent contemplation.
They still didn't understand why he was so determined to stay in Salvador with only a single weapon.
But the way he carried himself, the certainty in his voice…
Maybe... Just maybe, this was the beginning of something extraordinary.